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But that was the only highlight of a poor first half in which Richard Beale’s men were easily second best.

They went behind in the 21st minute when Louis Reed’s pass between the central defenders was taken in stride by Marc McNulty and - from just inside the area - hammered past Connal Trueman into the top corner.

A quarter of an hour later McNulty turned provider as he wriggled free across the penalty area, the ball ran to Regan Slater who smashed a rising shot into the other top corner of Trueman’s goal.

Birmingham City's Ronan Hale (Image: BCFC)

Blues halved the deficit two minute before the break when Hale ran off his man and onto a threaded pass down the side of the centre half from Olly Mulders.

The Republic of Ireland Under 18 turned and sent in a low cross which deflected into the path of Storer who sided footed home.

The 19-year-old was then booked for pushing the goalkeeper into the back of the net in his urgency to retrieve the ball.

However, the momentum didn’t stay with Blues for long and in first half stoppage time and a pass down the inside right channel was deflected to striker Jake Wright who fired low across Trueman and into the net.